Greatest Hits includes all of Thompson Twins' singles from 1982 to 1987, omitting earlier minor tracks from their UK debut album, A Product of ... (Participation), and the later single "Sugar Daddy," the last mainstream hit they had in the U.S., taken from their unsuccessful 1989 album Big Trash. Though Thompson Twins' previous album, 1987's Close to the Bone, was also a flop,[citation needed] both singles taken from it–"Get That Love" and "Long Goodbye"–are included here.

Thompson Twins' first singles collection chronologically compiles songs by the band's three different lineups (big band in the early years, three-piece group from 1983 to 1987, and duo in the later years).

Thompson Twins released one more unsuccessful album after the span of time covered on this compilation. 1991's Queer generated two more singles: "Come Inside" and "The Saint." Though these were minor hits—and quite popular in clubs—neither would be included on the band's next greatest hits collection either: the double disc Love on Your Side – The Best of Thompson Twins, issued in 2007.